Can labeling machine



June 30, 1931. c. c. KRONE 1,812,007

CAN LABELING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet l Eve/25w Cfim'sfian Kara 72 70/26 i MM, m ym.

June 30, 1931.

c. c. KRONE 1,812,007

CAN LABELING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet, 2

June 30, 1931. c. c. KRONE 1,812,067

CAN LABELING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 .June 30, 1931- I v c. c. KRONE 1,812,007

CAN LABELINGMACHINE Filed April 24, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet. 4

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Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES CHRISTIAN CARL. KRONE, OF MOMENCE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-HALF TO ALFRED H. MURBAY, OF MOM'ENCE, ILLINOIS CAN LABELING MACHINE Application filed April 24,

This invention relates to a labeling machine and more particularlyto a machine for labeling cans and like articles.

In can labeling machines which are successful commercially,and with which I am familiar, the labels are disposed in a stack in a hopper and are urged toward the track' along which the cans are fed by a follower or equivalent means for exerting pressure on the outer face of the stack. The cans. are spotted with an adhesive in advance of the hopper and are then fed along the track into position to cause the adhesive to contact the label at the inner face of the stack and withdraw it from the hopper, after which the can is fed beyond the hopper and is rotated so as to apply the label about the can.

In the more successful machines with which I am familiar the labels are disposed in a hopper positioned beneath the track, the labels being removed from the top ofthe stack, and a belt is suitably disposed for applying paste to the lap end of the label as it is withdrawn from the hopper. This belt is of necessity positioned above the stack of labels. In machines of this type the label hopper holds from 500 to 1,000 labels. To assure satisfactory operation not more than 500 labels should be positioned in the hop: per. These machines requireseveral operators to each machine to properly feed and handle the cans and attend the machine. Such a machine, operating at normal speed,

- labels approximately 250 cases of cans per hour, each case containing 24 cans, that is, 6,000 cans per hour. When the labels in the hopper have been exhausted it is necessary to stop the machine in order to replenish the labels. This means a loss of time, at least several minutes,'every time the labels are replenished. In addition, the paste from the lap pasting belt is apt to drip down over the labels in the hopper, where it hardens on the labels. This is apt to occurat any time. The paste runs down the sides ofthe label stack causing the labels to stick together so that several labels are pulled from the stack at a time. lVhen this occurs the machine has to be 1929. Serial No. 357,698.

stopped, the label bed removed, and, the stuck labels have to be separated or removed.

This results in a loss of time, as well as labels, in again starting the machine up and getting it into satisfactory running condition. During this time the several attendants are idle. Allowing a loss of one minute anda quarter every time-the machine is stopped to renew the labels, which is conservative, this means, that in an 8' hour day there is a loss of at least two hours due, alone, to the necessity of stopping the ma.- chine to renew the labels, and several people are also rendered idle for this period, in addition to the loss of time incurred'when the labels are stuck together, as above. The

loss incurred, therefore, due to the necessity of stopping the machine to replenish the labels is considerable and it willbe readily appreciated that'a machine capable o'f-satisfactorily labeling cans and other. articles in which the labeling operation can be carried on continuously and the labels can be replenished without in any way interfering with proper operation of the machine,is of real merit in this art. I One of the main objects of my invention is to provide a machine for labeling cans V and similar articles in which the supply of labels can be replenished without stoppage of the machine thus permitting continuous operation thereof. Another object is to provide means whereby adhesive is applied to the lap end of the labels, this adhesive applying means being disposed below the stack oflabels whereby possibility of dripping of the paste onto the labels is eliminated. Another object is to-provide a machine in which' tlie adhesive or glue pot which con tains the glue for spotting the cans is disposed above the track so that possibility of dirt and foreign material from the cans dropping into theglue is eliminated. It is also an important object of my invention to provide a method for continuously labeling cans, this method comprising as a step-thereof the replenishing of the supply of labels during the labeling operation and without interference therewith, the labels being Figure 4 is a section taken substantiallyon line H of Figure 1, parts being shown in elevation; 4

Figure 5 is a plan view of the machine;

Figure 6 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 66 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a section on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on line 7-7 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a detail of the mounting of the feed control member.

The machine comprises a main supporting frame 1 of rectangular shape in plan and elevation, this frame having corner angle uprights-2 suitably connected by cross angle bars 3 and brace strips 4 and 5. Rectangular frames 6 and 7, constructed of wood or other suitable material, are supported by the main frame. Frame 6 is provided with two angle brackets 8 secured to the lower bar of the frame adjacent the front and back of the machine. Screw rods 9 are suitably secured through these brackets and pass through the upper horizontal arms or flanges of angle bars 3. Nuts 10 are fitted upon the rod 9 at opposite faces of the upper arm of bar 3 and serve to effectively secure the screw rod to the bar.

Frame 7 is secured to the bars 3 in the same manner as frame 6 except that the upper arm of each bar 3 is provided with a longitudinally extending slot 11 through which the screw rod 9 extends, these slots permitting adjustment of frame 7 toward and away from frame 6.

An angle rail 12 is suitably secured to the inner face of each of the frames 6 and 7 with one arm projecting inwardly from the frame. heet metal strips 13 are riveted or otherwise suitably securedv to rails 12 and project beyondthe inwardly extending arms thereof, the rails and the strips 13 providing runways adapted for reception of the end portions of cans C or other articles of like nature. The lower portion of each rail 12 is provided with a straight portion 12A which is inclined downwardly toward the curved or arcuate portion of the rail. A rod 14 is riveted or otherwise suitably secured to the under face of the inwardly projecting flange of the rail. There are two of these rods, one being secured to each rail.

There are also two side strips 15 the lower ends of which are secured to the front bars of the frames 6 and 7. The rods 14 and strips 15 constitute a feed chute 16 for supplying the cans C to the machine. Vhen frame 7 is adjusted toward or away from frame 6 to adapt the machine to cans of able manner, this" piece being of approximately the same thickness as the front and top bars of the frame.

This corner piece also serves to tie together the two sections of the top bar of the frame, said top bar being cut away intermediate its end to provide space for depending flanges 18 of side boards 19 of a label hopper. The flanges 18 project inwardly a slight distance beyond the inner faces of the corner piece 17 (Figure 6), the lower edges of these flanges being flush with the lower edges of plates 20 suitably secured to the outer faces of the flanges. Metal strips 21 are secured to the lower edges of plates 20 and flanges 18 toprovide track elements for the beaded end or head of the can C, the corner pieces 17 serving to confine these cans against endwise movement. A block 21 is suitably secured, as by bolts 22 and wing nuts 23, between the corner pieces 17. This block is provided, on its inner face, with a covering or layer of rubber 24, or other suitable resilient material of suitable thickness. The flanges 18 of plates or side boards 19, and the block 21 including the resilient covering 24 therefor, are curved on approximately the same radius as the rails 12 and cooperate therewith to form a track along which the cans or other articles are fed during the labeling operation. This track may be considered as composed, in eflect, of two members adjustable toward and away from each other transversely of the main supporting frame, in the manner previously described, whereby the effective width of the track can be readily adjusted. The block 21 is replaceable, this being readily effected by means of the bolts 22 and wing nut 23, to accommodate the width apart of the rails. The hopper is also adjustable, as will be explained more in detail, to accommodate labels of different widths and len ths.

ide boards 19 of the label receiving hopper are secured to upper adjusting bars 25 and lower adjusting bars 26 conveniently formed of wood. Each of the upper bars 25 is preferably formed in two sections so as not to obstruct a slot 27 which extends from the upper edge of the board 19 to within a short distance of the depending flange 18 thereof. The bars and 26 are' slidably. mounted, at their ends, upon pipes 2 8 which.

extend through the inner flanges of the up.

rights 2 and are secured in position by set screws 29 threaded through the outer flanges of the uprights. Referring more particu larly to Figures 5 and 7, caps 30. are securedupon the ends of the pipe and are suitably bored and threaded for reception of hand screws 31 which extend into the pipes. A. pressure bar 32 is slidably mounted in slot 33 extending longitudinally of the pipe and is secured to the inner end of the screw 31 by a. loose nut connection. This pressure bar 32 bears against the outer face of the adjusting bar. An; expansion coil spring 34 is mounted across each of the pipes and is confined between the two adjusting bar's mounted thereon, this spring tending to. force the bars apart. The. springs and the screws 31 cooperate to adjust the bars 25 and 26',- and consequently the side boards 19 of" the label hopper, toward and away from eachv other. This provides simple and effective means whereby the width of the. label hop.- per can be readily varied in accordance with variation in the effective width of the can receiving track.

A. pair of angle brackets 35 are mounted on the inner face of each of the side boards suitably secured in the upper bar or member of frame 6 and extends through a suitable notch in the corresponding'member of frame 7. This bar or rod is conveniently formed of wood. Rod 40 is provided with a l ongi-" tudinally extending slot 41 which receives screws 42 extending through slot 43, thesescrews also extending through slots 44 in fingers 45, conveniently formed of sheet metal, disposed to-projecta short distance into the label receiving space of the hop per. This provides convenient means for supporting the fingersfor adjustment to ward and away from each other as well as toward and away from the hopper, and for effectively securing the fingers in adjustment. A pair of flanged sleeves46 are suitably secured to each of the plates 20. Each of these sleeves receives a member 47' adjustabl y secured in the sleeve by a set screw 48. The inner end of this member is suitably ground to providea blade or cutting element 49 the cutting'ed ge of which is dis posed upwardly and is inclined upwardly and. outwardly toward the" side board 19.

The members 47 which may be'considered-f as knives, coact. with fingers to provide.

pioint' contact supporting means for a stack of labels 50 disposed within the hopper, the

labels being supported'at one end andthe sides: thereof. by such. supporting means. The side boards 19 and the brackets 35 are properly adjusted so that the labels of "the stack. 50 fit neatly into the hopper thus formed in such manner as to be effectively held against any undesirable l'ooseness or play while preventing undesirable binding of the labels in the hop er.

A paste; pan 51.

tends inwardly a short distance beneath the stack ofl'abiels 50 at the other. end thereof..

roller 52 is mounted in the pan. 51. trans.- versely thereof so as to dip into the paste, this roller providing a support. for the outer or lap end of the bottom label of the stack and being in contact with the under face thereof for applyingpaste to the label. As will be noted morev clearly from Figure 6, the upper edge of the inner end wall of paste pan 51 is beaded and serrated at 53'and serves to remove excess paste from the lap end of. the label as it passes over this edge during withdrawal of the label from. the

bottom of the stack. The. paste applying roller 52 is preferably driven in' a suitable manner, but this is not essential; preferred to drive this roller in a direction opposite-v to that in which: the labels move when withdrawn from the stack. The means for accomplishing this desired rotation of the roller will be described later on- I provide,'at the back of the machine, suit able means for spot-ting the. can .with ad- I hesive; A shaft 54a is rotatably mounted in bearing blocks 54 slidable in the lower arms 55 of supporting'brackets fifi, the vertical arms 57 of which are adjustably secured to frames 6 and 7 by bolt and nut means, the bolts 58 passing through slots 59 in the frame and the slotted portion of each framebeing preferably reduced somewhat in thickness. This provides convenient means whereby the shaft 54a can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally with facility. .',A plate 6 0 is,

suspended from arm 5401 of the bracket. by hangers 61. which rigidly secure'the plate to the bracket. The hanger 61. associated with frame 7 has its lower end'secu-red to plate 60 by abolt 62 passing through a slot 63 in the plate. This perm-its adjustment of the hanger with the frame '7. A glue pot or pan 6.4 is. supported. by plate 60 in position to receive a plurality of'spotting discs 65 suitably secured upon shaft 63, these discs dip ping into glue in the pot 64. The shaft 63: is held agaln st endwise movement by. collars igure 3) is suitably se' cured to-block 21'. at. the top thereof and ex- It is also 66 secured thereon by set screws,these collars contacting the outer faces of the bearing blocks 64.. These collars are thus adjustable upon the shaft to accommodate relative adjustment of the frames 6 and 7. The discs are disposed to spot cans passing along the track and past the spotting discs in a known manner. Either plain or serrated discs may be employed for spotting-the cans, the ser-' rated discs being preferable when it is desired to deposit a large amount of glue upon the cans.

- Horizontal adjustment of the bearing blocks 64, and consequently the shaft 63, may

.- be effected in a suitable manner as by means of adjusting screws 67 which thread through the outer ends of the arms and have loose connection with the bearing blocks, jam nuts 68 being provided for securing these screws in adjustment. To hold the frames 6 and 7 against undesirable looseness or play, I provide a plurality of brace members 69 of elongated U-shape which extends across the front and back of the main frame and have 5 their arms secured to the corner uprights frames 6 and 7 are held'in' position and against undesirable looseness.

A drive shaft 73 is rotatably supported upon the main frame 1, this shaft being mountedin a bearing block 74 bolted or otherwise suitably secured to a cross member 7 5 of the frame. A drive pulley 76 is suitably secured on one end of the shaft 7 3 and two pulleys 77 and 78are secured on this shaft between pulley 76 and bearing block 74, the inner pulley 78 contacting the outer 1 face of the bearing block. The other end of the shaft is mounted in a bearing block porting arms 80 pivoted at their outer ends, at 81, in brackets 82 secured to the uprigh 2 at the other side of the machine. 7 Y

' The sections 79 of the bearing block fit snugly about the shaft and are effectively secured together by bolts 83. A stop collar 83a is suitably secured upon theshaft 7 3 and contacts the outer face of the bearing block sections 79. The shaft 7 S is thus held against endwise movement.

A wheel 8% is removably secured upon shaft 7 3 in a suitable manner, as by means of set screws 84. This wheel comprises a hub 85 and substantially U-shape spokes 86 which radiate from the hub and maybe formed integral therewith. These spokes are provided, in the outer face of the bight portions thereof, with spaced notches or rc-' cesses in whichtare secured steel rims 87, in a suitable manner, by means of screws 88 .(Figure 6). An inner rim 89 of soft elastic material, such as soft rubber, is secured to each of the rims 87 on the, outer face, thereof, and an outer rim 90, preferably of somewhat harder and tough-er rubber than the inner rim 89, is secured to the outer face of each of the rims 89. Each of the rims 87,.

as well as the rims 89 and 90, are preferably in the form of a semi-circle to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the wheel. 'As will be noted more clearly from Figure 2, the side-of the main frame 1 opposite to pulley 7 6 is unobstructed in the plane of the wheel, with the exception of the arms 80. When it is desired to remove the wheel the bolts 83 and the collar 83a are removed, after which the arms SO'are swung outwardly thus leaving this side of the frame open so that the wheel can be moved bodily off of the shaft by releasing the set screws. 84.

and can be replaced by another wheel, after whichthe arms 80 are swung into operative position and the bearing block members 79 are again secured together, the collar 83a being then replaced.

This provides convenient means whereby. wheels of different diameters can be readily placed upon the shaft 73 as conditions require. As will be noted more clearly from Figure 4, the rimsof the wheel are so spaced that the discs of the spotting mechanism are in the planes of the spaces between these rims. This is advantageous as preventing contact between the wheel and the adhesive which has been applied to the cans. It will also be noted (Figure 2) that. the spaces between the rim members of the wheel fall between the rails 12-of the track. By this arrangement I assure that the glue which has been applied to the cans will not be removed therefrom by contact with either the Wheel or the track.

The wheel 83?) is disposed within the track and concentric therewith. This wheel coformed in two sections 7 9 carriedby sup-' acts with the track to feed the Cans along the same in a counterclockwise direction as considered .111 Figure 3, and to simultaneously cause rotation of the cans on their axes in a clockwise direction. The cans are delivered from the chute 16 to the track by suitable feeding means which acts to separate the cans in such manner as to dispose them about the track in predetermined spacedvrelation. V

A shaft 92 is rotatably mounted in blocks 93supported by brackets 94, secured to the two front uprights 2 of the main supporting frame 1. n The {blocks are secured to the brackets 94 for vertical adjustment by means of bolts 95 which screw into the blocks and ass through vertical slots 96 in flanges 97 of the brackets. To accommodate this vertical adjustment of the shaft the brackets are provided with vertical slots 98 through which the shaft extends. V s

A f ed reg a ng dev e in the f m of a paddle or wheel member having four radial blades 99 is suitably secured on the shaft. The blades 99 are so spaced as to contact the cans C and deliver them from the chute 16 to the track in proper spaced re lation. A discharge chute 100 ex ends across the chute '16 above the same. discharge chute comprises sidev rails or strips 101 and bottom rods 102 whichare secured to the frames 6 and 7 in the same manner as the rods and side rails of chute 16, so that the efiective Width of chute 100 is adjusted in accordance with adjustment of these frames in the same manner as the chute 16. Ref r ng more pa cu ar y e Figure each of the rods 102 is secured to the'lower' flange of an angle strip 103 which is suitably s c e t r me 6 r 7- hi angl strip is inclined downwardly and forwardly of the machine and has its inner end disposed to receive the cans as they pass frombe'neath the lower end of the rubber cover or pad 24 of block21 The Strips 103- constitute a continuation of chute 100 and act to direct the discharged cans into this chute. The discharge chute serves to direct the cans to the packing table in a known manner. It will be noted that the chutes 16 and 100 are both disposed at the front of the machine. This is advantageous as permitting the shiners, that is, the cans which have not been labeled, to be discharged from the discharge chute adjacent the operator having charge f t supp ef cans t th h te This means for disc arging the shiners from the chute 100 is known in the art and Comprises, briefly, two contact fingers disposed to contact cans passing along the chute, these fingers being included in an electric circuit to which is connected suitable mechanism for discharging a can from chute 100.

When the cans are properly labeled, the labels, being of paper, serve to insulate the cans from the contact fingers. hen an unlabeled can or shiner passes beneath the fin ers the circuit is closed through the can and the mechanism referred to is actuated to remove the can from the discharge chute. This means for cutting out or removing shiners from the discharge chute of a labeling machine is well known in the art and need not be illustrated nor further described. Pulley 76 is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of power, such as a pulley on the shaft of a motor, preferably an electric motor, by means of which the shaft 73 is rotated. The pulley 76 is shown as grooved for reception of a cord though any suitable r ve ay be p ey dley 7 i 0 ne te by a c 4 t a pu ley 05 secur d on a s u haft 1 6 'o a y 'meunted through a bearing-block 107 bolted to .a

This

bracket 0.8 which is riveted t the adjacent corner upright 2. A second pulley 109-is sui a y se ured to he inne face of p lley 105 and may be conveniently formedintegrally therewith. A hub 110 extends from the inner face of pulley 109 and is secured to the stub shaft 106by a set screw v111'. Stub shaft 106 is disposed coaxially with shaft 112 rotatably mounted through the side walls of the paste pan 51, the paste applying roller 52 being secured upon this shaft i a sui ab ,man er- Th adj ent d of the shafts 106 and 112 are cut away and are disposed in overlapping relation, these ends be ng asablyse ured gether by a screw 1 13', or in any other suitable manner.

The paste. applying roller 52 is thus rotated from the ,wheel in counterclockwise direction as considered iuF-igure 3.

Pulley 109 is connected bya cord 1141 to a pulley 115 secured on shaft 92 of the feed device. This device is driven in a counterclockwise direction and the arms 92 thereof the s ack in proper spa ed rel ion 7 A cord 116 connects pulley 78 to a pulley .117 secured on shaft 53 of the spotting mechanism. This shaft is also driven a counterclockwise direction as considered in Figure 1, and Figure 3, for applying the adhesive to the cans through the medium of the discs 65. I preferably provide tightening devices of known typefor the respective cords or belts, such devicesbeing designated .by the reference numbers 118, 119, and 120. a

In the operation of the machine, the cans are fed along the tracks by ineans of the wheel and travel above the same in a counterclockwise direction. The wheel and the track cooperate to rotate-the cans, during such travel, in a clockwise direction on their axes. As these cans travel past the spotting mechanism, they are spotted with adhesive and then pass'on to the label hopper. .As the cans reach" the hopper the adhesive .per, this operation being. facilitated by the point onta t support o hefi g r 4 nd the knives 17 and the cutting edges of the edges 19 of the knives WlllCllflQl? to slit the side edges of the label as it is withdrawn.

During continued travel and rotation of the can, thelabel is wrapped about the can body and the lap end of the label is drawn across the serrated end 53 of the paste pan 51 so as to remove excess paste therefrom. The can then passes onfrom beneath the hopper and enters between the wheel and the rubber pad 24: Where the pressureupon the can is slightlyincreased by having the pads disposed inwardly a slight distance beyond the lower edges of flanges 18 of the side serve to deliver the cans from chute to track do not fall into the glue.

boards 19' of the hopper. During travel of the'can between pad 24 and the wheel the label is smoothed out and wrapped snugly around the can, and the lap end of the label, to which the paste has been applied, is pressed firmly into its proper lapping position. The labeled can is then delivered to the discharge chute 100 as previously described.

It will be noted that the glue pot 64 is disposed beyond the track and in such position that dirt and other foreign materials which may adhere to the cans and are removed therefrom during travel of the can above the This is advantageous as avoiding waste of glue and also as eliminating waste oftime incurred in cleaning of the glue pot. In machines in which the glue pot is disposed beneath the pan during travel thereof, there is an appreciable waste of glue and time from this cause. It will also be noted that the label hopper is above the track and pressure is applied to the bottom label of the stack by the other labels superimposed thereon.

The upper end of the label hopper is un obstructed and the stack of labels in the hopper can be replenished so as to assure an adequate supply of labels at all times and also maintain a desirable pressure on the bottom label of the stack without in any way interfering with the operation of the machine. This provides simple and highly efiicient means whereby the labeling of the cans can be carried on as a continuous operation, the labels being maintained under proper pressure and the supply of labels being replenished, as required, without removing this pressure or interrupting the labeling operation. These are important advantages in the labeling of cans and like articles since any loss of time in the labeling operation is a material consideration.

The cans are commonly kept in storage awaiting labeling. Being of sheet metal, these cans are hygroscopic, and are frequently coated with a film of moisture, when delivered to the labeling machine. This film is in the form of minute dropsor globules which, unless broken up and destroyed, prevent satisfactory adherence of the adhesive to the can. I overcome this difliculty by providing a brush 121, supported by brackets 122 secured to track rail 12 of frame 7, this brush being so disposed that the bristles thereof contact cans passing along the track. The inherent resiliency of the bristles of the brush assures contact thereof with the cans while avoiding any interference with proper feed of the cans.

The brushacts to break up the film of moisture on the cans and to remove an' appreciable portion of such moisture. This brush is preferably disposed beneath the rearward portion of the track, at an inclinadescribed, a label receiving'hopper, means in the hopper for sup orting a stack of labels for withdrawal therefrom from the bottom of the stack, a paste pan beneath the hopper, a roller dipping into the pan and disposed to contact the lap end of the 7 bottom label, said roller revolving oppositely to the direction of feed of the labels to the cans, meansin advance of the hopper for spotting the cans with adhesive, and

means for feeding the cans past the spotting means and beneath the hopper in position to cause the adhesive to contact the bottom label adjacent the other end thereof, the feeding means acting to rotate the cans and subject them to pressure radially thereof as they pass beneath and beyond the hopper for wrapping and smoothing the labels about the cans.

2. In a labeling machine of the character described, a wheel mounted to turn on a horizontal axis, a track concentric with the wheel and coacting therewith to feed cans along the track and rotate them, a hopper above the track having its lower end adjacent the track and adapted to support a stack of labels. for withdrawal therefrom from the bottom of the stack, the upper end of the hopper being unobstructed and the labels being fed downwardly through the hopper by gravity, and means in advance of the hopper for applying adhesive to the cans.

3. In a labeling machine of the character described, a track, a hopper having its lower end open and adjacent the track, point con tact supporting members extending inwardly of the hopper at one end and the sides thereof, certain of said members having cutting edges disposed for contact with the bottom label of a stack of labels supported within said hopper by the supporting members,

-means in advance of the hopper for applying adhesive to cans traveling along the track, and means cooperating with the track for feeding cans along the same and beneath the hopper and for rotating the cans as they pass beneath and beyond thehopper, the track being disposed to cause the 'ad hesive on a can passing beneath the hopper to contact with the bottom label of the stack.

4. In a can labeling machine, including a wheel rotating on a horizontal axis and a stationary track for conveying cans, means for initially spotting the cans with adhesive, and means for supporting labels above the rotatable wheel in position to contact the adhesived portions of the cans to be picked up and applied to the cans thereby.

5. In a can labeling machine, including a Wheel rotating on a horizontal axis and a stationary track for conveying cans, means for initially spotting the cans with adhesive, means for supporting labels above the rotatable wheel in position to contact the adhesived portions of the cans to be picked up and applied to the cans thereby, the labels overlapping marginally when applied, and means for applying adhesive to the marginal overlap.

6. In a can labeling machine, including a wheel rotating on a horizontal axis and a stationary track for conveying cans, means for initially spotting the cans with adhesive, means for supporting labels above the ro tatable wheel in position to contact the adhesived portions of the cans to be picked :up and applied to the cans thereby, the labels overlapping marginally, means for applying adhesive to the marginal overlap, and means for pressing the overlapping margins firmly together upon the can.

7. In a can labeling machine, including a rotatable wheel and a' stationary track for conveying cans, the combination of means for supporting a stack of labels above said wheel, a paste pan and pasting roller adjacent one end oi the label supporting means,

' said roller revolving in a direction opposing the direction of feed of the labels to the cans, said label supporting means comprising label guides and adjustable label retaining fin ers in said guides, and independent adjustable label retaining fingers without said guides, the labels being disposed within the guides and resting upon both sets of retaining fingers and upon said pasting roller.

8. In a labeling machine, the combination of a track, a Wheel rotatable adjacent said track, and resilient means on the periphery of said wheel for engaging the article and feeding same along the track, said resilient means comprising an outer member of resilient rubber, and 'a member of tougher rubber interposed between said outer member and the periphery of the wheel.

9. In a can labeling machine, including a rotatable wheel and a stationary metal track for conveying cans, said rotatable wheel having a series of ridges on the periphery thereof, resilient means mounted upon the ridges comprising a tougher outer rubber and a softer rubber between the outer rubber and the wheel, said resilient ridges conveying and rotating the cans along the metal track in the labeling process.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th da of April, 1929.

CHRIST AN CARL KRONE. 

